Union chiefs Randi Weingarten and Lee Saunders quit DNC as leadership turmoil grows after Hogg’s departure.

Union Leaders Step Down Amid Party Tensions

Two leading union figures, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, have resigned as at-large members of the Democratic National Committee. Their departure follows a period of escalating internal conflict within the party, coming just days after high-profile controversies and the exit of former DNC vice chair David Hogg.

Weingarten and Saunders, both influential voices in national labor and Democratic circles, declined invitations to continue their roles on the DNC. According to a letter from Weingarten to DNC Chair Ken Martin now circulating on social media, she said, “I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities.”

The latest resignations deal another blow to Martin’s leadership. Just last week, Martin resolved a dispute involving Hogg, a progressive activist who left his post after his push for a $20 million plan to challenge incumbent Democratic lawmakers drew fierce criticism. Hogg’s outside group, Leaders We Deserve, fueled intraparty rifts by supporting primary challenges against older Democratic incumbents, a move many saw as divisive for the party.

Leadership Under Fire as Factions Emerge

Party insiders have voiced concerns about leadership effectiveness, with one former DNC official, speaking anonymously, saying, “There is a huge vacuum of leadership in the Democratic Party and Ken is proving to be a weak, ineffective leader who isn’t ready for any of this.” Another committee member, who also requested anonymity, said the departures were not surprising since both Weingarten and Saunders had supported Ben Wikler, Martin’s rival in the DNC chair race.

Martin’s decision to remove Weingarten from the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, which oversees the party’s presidential nominating calendar and election rules, also deepened divisions. Some members described Weingarten and Saunders as “incredible leaders” and expressed hope the party would eventually unite to defeat President Donald Trump and the Republican Party in upcoming elections.

Observers noted that Weingarten had also backed Hogg’s controversial plan to primary incumbents in secure Democratic districts, reflecting broader debates over party strategy. Following Hogg’s resignation, which was linked to internal disputes and a critical report about DNC infighting, Martin affirmed the party’s policy of remaining neutral in primary contests and gave Hogg an ultimatum regarding his role and political activity.

Despite efforts to move past the turmoil, Hogg continued to endorse Democratic candidates in ongoing special elections. In a recent vote, the DNC Credentials Committee approved a resolution to hold re-elections for two vice chair positions previously held by Hogg and Malcolm Kenyatta. Martin praised Hogg’s years of activism but signaled readiness for the party to move on.

The union leaders’ departure marks the latest chapter of public infighting and uncertainty for the Democratic Party after losing control of the White House and Congress in 2024. Party sources indicated that both labor leaders and their organizations are expected to continue working with the party in efforts to counter the current Republican administration and its policies.

Neither Weingarten nor Saunders responded to requests for comment.